Chinese man on meth import charges in Vic
AAP
Jamie Duncan April 5, 2014, 12:28 pm
A Chinese national has been remanded in custody on charges he tried to import more than 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in shampoo bottles.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged Hong Kong man Chi Wa Cheng, 20, with one count each of importing and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Cheng appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday morning with the aid of a Cantonese interpreter.
Magistrate Alan Spillane remanded Cheng in custody to re-appear in the same court on Tuesday.
Speaking after the hearing, AFP agent Aaron McCready said Cheng entered Australia last month and was arrested in central Melbourne on Friday.
He said 4.656kg of methamphetamine was secreted in shampoo bottles.
"Essentially, this is a wider ongoing investigation," Mr McCready said, although he said at this stage no further arrests were planned.
The full street value of the drug has not been calculated but the raw cost of the illicit shipment is $190,000, he said.
He alleged Cheng's role was to collect the shipment in Melbourne. The maximum penalty for both offences combined is 25 years' jail.
